United States or Netherlands ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Hi tells 'er to come down, and she comes, and when we gets hinto the 'ouse she says, 'Tom, you take them dogs right hover to Skipper Zeb's, and so Hi brings the honcivil beasts hover." Tom chuckled at the recollection of his wife's fear and her appearance on the scaffold the evening before. When he was through he said he must return at once, or Martha would think the dogs had eaten him.
Zeb's gaze, amid the turmoil of sound, hovered around one such cloak, rested on a slim back resolutely turned to him, and a jealous bonnet, wandered to the bald scalp of Farmer Tresidder beside it, returned to Calvin Qke's sawing elbow and the long neck of Elias Sweetland bulging with the fortissimo of "O ye winds of God," then fluttered back to the red cloak.
Lute was on deck, cutaway coat, "high water" trousers and purple tie, grand to look upon, Alvin Baker and Elnathan Mullet and Alonzo Black and Thoph Newcomb and Zeb Kendrick were, as the Item would say, "among those present" and if Zeb's black cutaway smelled slightly of fish it was, at least, a change from the pervading "May Lilac." Captain Jed strutted pompously about, monarch of the day.
George partook sparingly of supper, while Zeb's appetite was as insatiate as ever. A guard was stationed as soon as it was fully dark, and the Indians appeared disposed to amuse and enjoy themselves until a late hour. One of their number, with a hoarse, guttural "Ugh!" approached the negro. "You needn't come here," ejaculated Zeb, divining his intention.
And I told him the accident wasn't Zeb's fault, that the train didn't whistle or ring, and that the crossing was a blind one." "And what did he say?" asked Austen, curiously. "He said that on a railroad as big as his something of the kind must happen occasionally. And he told me if Zeb didn't make a fuss and act foolishly, he would have no cause to regret it."
The wonder is, the self-same fix don't happen at more christ'nin's, 'tis so very life-like." A silence followed, full of thought. It was cut short by the rattle of wheels coming down the road, and Young Zeb's grey mare hove in sight, with Young Zeb's green cart, and Young Zeb himself standing up in it, wide-legged.
The other had stared back quietly, as if he noted only the performance. As the music ended sharply with the click of Young Zeb's two heels, the stranger bent, took up a pair of tongs, and rearranged the fire before lifting his head. "Yes," he said, slowly, but in tones that were extremely distinct as the clapping died away, "that was wonderfully danced.
Somehow she had dropped the lantern and was running up from the sea towards the fire, with Zeb's feet pounding behind her, and her soul possessed with the dread to feel his grasp upon her shoulders. As it fell, Old Zeb leapt up to his feet with excitement, and opened his mouth wide to cheer. But no voice came for three seconds: and when he spoke this was what he said "Good Lord, deliver us!"
Zeb heaved a great sigh like a sob; but only said: "Wait a second while I see that the coast's clear." In less than three minutes the stranger was packed under the evil-smelling weed, drawing breath with difficulty, and listening, when the jolting allowed, to Zeb's voice as he encouraged the mare.
"Parson, will 'ee marry us up, please?" "You haven't asked if she'll have you." "No, an' I don't mean to. I didn't come to ax questions that's your business but to answer." "Will you marry this man?" demanded the parson, turning to Ruby. Zeb's hand still enclosed hers, and she felt she was caught and held for life. Her eyes fluttered up to her lover's face, and found it inexorable.
Word Of The Day